In place of bond, these scholars serve the community

When Ms Gracia Wong took a gap year before embarking on her university studies to volunteer at an orphanage in Kazakhstan, she had to work as a teacher in two schools to pay for her fare there.

The 22-year-old need not fret about finances when she engages in community work in future. She was one of six scholars who received scholarships given out to undergraduates in Nee Soon GRC.

Instead of fulfilling a company bond, recipients will have to play a part in community development projects within the GRC. The six were chosen based on their track record in community work, rather than sterling grades.

"The scholarship winners will seek to understand the real social and economic issues and learn how to create impact for society," said MP for Nee Soon GRC K. Shanmugam, who gave out the scholarships at a HDB block in Yishun on Sunday morning.

The scholarship award ceremony was held in conjunction with a roadshow organized by Ms Wong and two other scholarship recipients for low-income households living in rental flats.

Two types of scholarships- the Chong Pang Scholarship for Social Impact and the Dymon Asia Scholarship for Social Impact- were given out by the Chong Pang Citizen Consultative Committee.

The Straits Times

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